Abstract: A biometric scanner having an electric field device and a method of using that scanner are disclosed. The electric field device (a) has no electric field generator or an electric field generator that is prevented from providing an electric field to a biometric object, such as a finger, and (b) has an electric field sensor array comprised of a plurality of electric field sensors. Capacitance readings from the sensor array are used to generate values that are attributed to locations corresponding to the sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, devices, sensors, and other implementations, including a programmable sensor system that includes a variable voltage source (“VVS”) to receive an external input voltage and provide a variable output voltage from the input voltage, the VVS configured to be controlled to adjust behavior of the VVS, and a programmable sensor coupled to an output of the VVS to receive the variable output voltage. The sensor is configured to be programmed when a programming voltage of at least a predetermined level is provided by the VVS to power the sensor, and to perform regular sensor operations when regular-operation voltage is provided by the VVS to power the sensor. The sensor system further includes a controller to cause controllable adjustment of the VVS to provide the programming voltage for a predetermined period of time to power the sensor so as to cause the sensor to be programmed.

Abstract: A method of detecting irregular high current flow within an integrated circuit (IC) device is described. The method comprises obtaining infrared (IR) emission information for the IC device, identifying at least one functional component within the IC device comprising a high current flow, based at least partly on the obtained IR emission information, obtaining IR emission information for at least one reference component within the IC device, and determining whether the high current flow of the at least one functional component comprises an irregular high current flow based at least partly on a comparison of respective IR emission information for the at least one functional component and the at least one reference component.

Abstract: In a rotation angle detecting device, a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are disposed at an interval of an electrical angle of 120 degrees around a rotation center axis of a rotor. An output signal of the first magnetic sensor is expressed by V1=sin ?, and an output signal of the second magnetic sensor is expressed by V2=sin(?+120). A determination device determines whether both the magnetic sensors are normal, or there is a failure in at least one of the magnetic sensors, based on whether an expression of L?V12+V22+V1·V2?0.75?U is satisfied, where L is a lower limit and U is an upper limit.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a mechanical switch, a processor device, and a latch circuit. The mechanical switch has a closed position and an open position, and is supported by a meter housing. The mechanical switch is operably coupled to generate a close signal when the mechanical switch is in the closed position. The processor device has a first processor input and a second processor input. The first processor input is operably coupled to receive the close signal. The latch circuit is operably coupled to receive the close signal and generate a latched signal responsive thereto. The latch circuit is configured to latch the latched signal for a predetermined time, the predetermined time corresponding to a wake-up time of the processor device. The latch circuit is operably coupled to provide the latched signal to the second processor input.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting display panel includes a pixel unit connected to a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, and including a plurality of pixels, a panel test unit connected to first ends of the plurality of data lines, and configured to output a panel test signal for testing the plurality of pixels, a plurality of data pads connected to second ends of the plurality of data lines, and an array test unit configured to selectively apply a plurality of array test signals to a pixel column of the pixel unit according to a plurality of array test control signals, and detect a signal output from the pixel column to which the plurality of array test signals are applied.

Abstract: An embodiment method includes providing a standardized testing structure design for a chip-on-wafer (CoW) structure, wherein the standardized testing structure design comprises placing a testing structure in a pre-selected area a top die in the CoW structure, and electrically testing a plurality of microbumps in the CoW structure by applying a universal testing probe card to the testing structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for monitoring a condition of a structure using a passive wireless antenna sensor having a known resonant frequency when mounted on the structure. A signal is transmitted with sweeping frequencies around a known resonant frequency to the passive wireless antenna sensor. A signal is received from the passive wireless antenna sensor and a resonant frequency of the passive wireless antenna sensor is determined based on the received signal. The determined resonant frequency is then compared to the known resonant frequency, whereby a change in the resonant frequency indicates a change in the condition of the structure.

Abstract: A device for detecting faults in an electric line between a voltage source and a load is disclosed. The device includes a signal-generation unit a signal-receiving unit and an evaluation mechanism. The signal-generation unit is configured to produce a power-line signal and transmit the power-line signal via the electric line to an external mechanism. The signal-receiving unit is configured to receive a response signal from the external mechanism. The evaluation mechanism is configured to detect an occurrence of a fault, when the signal-receiving unit fails to receive a response signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for lift monitoring are described. In one embodiment, a first operation signal may be received from a first relay coupled to an electro-mechanical patient lift when the electro-mechanical patient lift is being operated in a first position. A second operation signal may be received from a second relay coupled to the electro-mechanical patient lift when the electro-mechanical patient lift is being operated in a second position. A determination of whether a lift qualification threshold is met may be based on the receiving of the first operation signal and the second operation signal. An occurrence of a lift may be recorded when a determination is made that the lift qualification threshold is met. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Current tests for I/O interface connectors are described. In one example a test may include applying a forced energy to a first pin of an interface of a data communications bus of an integrated circuit on a die, sensing the energy caused by the forced energy at a second pin of the interface, and comparing the forced energy and the sensed energy to determine an amount of current leaked by at least a portion of the interface.

Abstract: A capacitance measuring circuit of a touch sensor includes a voltage comparing part, a control part, a complex switch, a charging/discharging circuit part and a timer part. The voltage comparing part outputs a first comparing signal by comparing with a first reference voltage and a sensing voltage of a touch sensor and a second comparing signal by comparing with a second reference voltage and the sensing voltage, in response to a first control signal provided from an external device. The control part outputs a charging/discharging control signal based on the first and second comparing signals, in response to a second control signal provided from an external device. The complex switch is connected to each two terminals of the touch sensors, and is configured to set a path transmitting a sensing signal to the touch sensor and a path receiving a sensing signal sensing a capacitance variation amount of the touch sensor via the touch sensor.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a magnetometer device to measure oscillation frequency, including a feedthrough loop including an amplifier and a voltage bias connected to a first input of a metallic membrane; a membrane ground connected to a membrane output; a fixed plate including a first fixed plate output connected to a second input of the amplifier, wherein the fixed plate is physically separated from the metallic membrane but connected to the metallic membrane by a Lorentz force, and where the physical separation differs due to an angle of a magnetic field relative to a direction of a current; a second fixed plate output sensitive to the Lorentz force; and a circuit connected to the second fixed plate output to calculate an angle of the magnetic force based upon the Lorentz force.

Abstract: The present invention concerns current transducers for measuring a current flowing through a cable. The current transducers have a ferromagnetic core providing a substantially ring-shaped portion and at least two legs. The ring-shaped portion has one air gap or two air gaps. A magnetic field sensor is placed in or at each of the air gap(s). The ring-shaped portion forms a magnetic circuit that encloses the cable and guides the magnetic field generated by current to the air gap(s). Each leg extends from the center of the associated magnetic field sensor in a direction that runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cable and has a certain length. The length of the legs is designed so long that at least two magnetic paths are formed which guide a component of an external magnetic field which extends in the direction of the legs around the magnetic field sensor(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing and/or conditioning photovoltaic modules. The apparatus includes a set of contacts for contacting electrical conductors of the module and a testing and/or conditioning system for testing and/or conditioning of the module and measuring parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: The invention concerns a structural integrity assessment system and method for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The invention comprises a magnetic field sensor array arranged to be moved relative to the structure in a known direction. A controller is provided for recording one or more magnetic field readings taken by the magnetic field sensor array at different locations in the direction of movement thereof. A processor is arranged to identify one or more feature within said values, said feature being indicative of a region of reduced structural integrity in the structure. The processor also receives a data input for a further parameter corresponding to the location of the sensor array and compares the feature with the further parameter in order to verify that said feature corresponds to a region of reduced structural integrity for the structure.

Abstract: A rotary resonant three-dimensional electric field sensor is disclosed. The rotary resonant three-dimensional electric field sensor includes: a substrate (1); an X-direction electric field measurement unit (4), a Y-direction electric field measurement unit (5), and a Z-direction electric field measurement unit (6), set on the substrate (1), each of which including: a sensing electrode (8, 10, 13) fixed on the substrate (1), and a shielding electrode (7, 9, 12) vibrating relatively to the sensing electrode (8, 10, 13); and at least one set of driving mechanical structures (11, 18), is configured to generate a driving force so as to cause the shielding electrode (7, 9) to vibrate relatively to a corresponding sensing electrode (8, 10, 13), and the vibration is transferred to the shielding is electrodes (7, 9, 12) of the other two electric field measurement units (4, 5, 6).

Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprises a first magnetic transducer which in use is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a second magnetic transducer which in use is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side. The second transducer comprises a magnetic or electrical property which is dependent upon a sensible condition on the second side of the barrier, such as the pressure or temperature on the second side of the barrier. In operation, the first transducer generates a first magnetic field which induces the second transducer to generate a second magnetic field that is dependent upon the magnetic or electrical property of the second transducer. The first transducer detects the second magnetic field and generates a signal which is representative of the sensible condition on the second side of the barrier.

Abstract: A dc input circuit receives a dc input voltage. At least four rectification elements are coupled to each other in a diode bridge configuration, where an input of the diode bridge configuration is coupled to the dc input circuit to receive the dc input voltage. At least one of the rectification elements includes a transistor. A decision circuit indicates, as a function of one of collector current and emitter current of the transistor, that the received dc input voltage has normal or reversed polarity. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A sensor device (1) detects flowable media (3, 3?), in particular fluids (9) received in pressure devices (5), such as pressure containers (7) or pressure lines. A sensor element (11) has an oscillation device (13) that is excited to produce oscillations under the action of a field (15) of a field generation device (17). The oscillating behavior of the oscillations changes upon inflow of the respective medium (3). The changes can be detected by a measuring device (19).