Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining when the seal of a sealed container was broken. Such can include a sealed container with a seal that separates an interior of the container from the outside environment. An environmentally sensitive conductor of an electrical circuit is positioned within the interior of the sealed container. The conductor has an electrical property with a known initial value that changes in a predictable manner as a function of time and exposure to the outside environment. Accordingly, breaking the seal and exposing the conductor to the environment causes the electrical property of the conductor to change. When a present value of the electrical property is determined, it may be used in combination with the initial value and the expected change in the value over time in order to determine the time at which the seal was broken.

Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a main array of circuit elements representing a main measurement range of parameter values and a test array of circuit elements representing a test measurement range of parameter values, the test measurement range being less than the main measurement range. The device also includes processing circuitry configured to select a portion of the main array of circuit elements representing a partial measurement range, the partial measurement range being less than or equal to the test measurement range. The processing circuitry is also configured to test the portion of the main array of circuit elements using the test array of circuit elements.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an impedance sensor element, an impedance sensor reader and a communications module. The communications module is configured to communicate with a remote computing device. The impedance sensor reader is coupled to the impedance sensor element. The impedance sensor reader includes a synthesizer and a detector. The synthesizer is configured to output an excitation signal having known values for a plurality of signal characteristics to the impedance sensor element and to generate the excitation signal based on a plurality of direct digital synthesizer (DDS) coefficients received from the remote computing device through the communications module. The detector is coupled to the impedance sensor element and configured to detect a response of the impedance sensor element to the excitation signal and determine an impedance of the impedance sensor element based at least in part on the response of the impedance sensor element to the excitation signal.

Abstract: A test device is configured for testing a specimen which has an inductor. The test device includes a controllable unit for reducing a current intensity of a current flowing in the inductor.

Abstract: A method of calibrating or correcting near field or far field data from a scanner board array of integrated measuring probes that are electronically switched to capture near-field data from an antenna-under-test (AUT) and having a board output includes the steps of coupling a calibrating probe with one of the measuring probes, measuring the power through the measuring probe and the calibrating probe and isolating the effect of the RF path from the measuring probe to the board output by removing the effect of the calibrating probe, and repeating for each measuring probe. Also disclosed are methods for correcting for scattering effects and loading effects on the AUT.

Abstract: An S-parameter of an object to be measured is measured, which includes (i) three transmission lines configured such that a ternary signal is transmitted through a corresponding one of the three transmission lines and (ii) six ports as total ports included in the three transmission lines each having a pair of ports. Based on the measured S-parameter, a parameter is calculated, which shows transparent characteristics in each mode among mixed-mode S-parameters in accordance with transition patterns of signal levels on the three transmission lines.

Abstract: A method of monitoring state of health of a rechargeable battery (11) comprised within a hearing device (1) is provided, the rechargeable battery (11) being adapted to provide energy for electronic components (2, 8) of the hearing device (1), the method comprising the steps of: dividing a usage time of the hearing device (1) into time slots, determining a number of full equivalent charges applied to the rechargeable battery (11) in each of the time slots, and determining a performance level of the rechargeable battery (11) in dependence on the number of full equivalent charges per time slot. Furthermore, a hearing device adapted to perform the method and an arrangement with the hearing device are provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.

Abstract: A method includes measuring an initial voltage a bulk capacitor at a power supply, controlling a power factor correction circuit to disable charging of the bulk capacitor for a predetermined period of time, and measuring a final voltage at the bulk capacitor at completion of the period of time. The method further includes measuring a first average power provided to a load receiving power from the voltage converter, the load external to the power supply, and determining a capacitance of the bulk capacitor based on the initial voltage, the final voltage, and the first average power.

Abstract: Noncontact sensing components are provided herein, in an aspect, they can be for an electronic device. The noncontact sensing components can contain a semiconductor layer having a r-GO portion and a CNT portion. The noncontact sensing components can be used to detect the presence or movement of a humidity source in the vicinity of the noncontact sensing component. The resistance/humidity response of the component can be based on the combined contribution of carbon nanotube (positive resistance variation) and reduced-graphene oxide (negative resistance variation) behaviors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for triggering an action on an opening panel of a motor vehicle. The device (1) comprises in particular: a capacitive sensor (C) for detecting a variation in capacitance, comprising at least three electrodes (E1, E2, E3), said at least three electrodes (E1, E2, E3) forming a detection pattern (M); and a processing unit (2) connected to the capacitive sensor (C) for processing output signals front the capacitive sensor (C), said output signals being representative of the capacitance of each of the electrodes (E1, E2, E3). The triggering device (1) is characterised in that: the positioning of the electrodes (E1, E2, E3) is defined such that at least one of the electrodes (E1, E2, E3) is not covered by a hand approaching the detection pattern (M), and the processing unit (2) is designed to perform a triggering action on the opening panel of the motor vehicle when a band approaches said detection pattern (M).

Abstract: Each of detection units detects electrostatic capacitance values Cc, Cr, Cl produced between sensors and a passenger H, based on electrical signals Sc, Sr, Sl outputted from the sensors, respectively. A total value calculation unit sums electrostatic capacitance values Cc, Cr, Cl to calculate a total value Ct of the electrostatic capacitance values Cc, Cr, Cl. A comparison determination unit compares the total value Ct with a first threshold value Cth1 to make a contact determination of whether the passenger H is in contact with a steering wheel.

Abstract: A system for testing reflections within a data transmission signal includes a data transmission line configured to transmit the signal in a downstream direction, and a test probe configured to electrically contact a contact point on the transmission line and measure a magnitude of a frequency response of the signal therein. The system further includes a spectrum capturing device in operable contact with the test probe, and configured to collect and arrange data of frequency response magnitudes measured by the test probe. The data transmission line includes at least a first impedance mismatch corresponding to a first reflection point along the transmission line, and the spectrum capturing device is configured to determine a severity of the first reflection based on a comparison of a first voltage V1 with a second voltage V2, where V1 represents a DC term, and where V2 represents a reflected energy of a subsequent impulse.

Abstract: A method for measuring the impedance of a DUT having a capacitance of less than 1 pF includes applying a voltage or current signal to the DUT, the voltage or current signal including an AC component having a non-zero frequency of less than 1 kHz; monitoring a current or voltage signal, respectively, through the DUT in response to the voltage or current signal; digitizing the voltage signal and the current signal synchronously; and calculating the impedance from the digitized voltage and current signals.

Abstract: A lighting system (100; 120) comprises at least one lamp (10) and a processing unit (20) for estimating an end-of-life of the at least one lamp (10). The processing unit (20) is configured to receive a lamp burning time during which the at least one lamp is turned on and a forecasted temperature over a selected period of time at a location of the at least one lamp. The processing unit (20) is configured to estimate the end of life of the at least one lamp based on the lamp burning time and the forecasted temperature. By using the forecasted temperature, use of dedicated lamp sensors measuring internal parameters of the lamp usable for the end-of-life estimate may be avoided and the estimate may be simplified.

Abstract: A patient care system is configured for infusing fluid to a patient. The system includes a plurality of modular fluid infusion pumps that each has a connector for connecting to a modular programming unit or to one another. Systems and methods are configured for verifying that the connectors are reliably performing their functions or communicatively connecting the pumps to one another or to the programming unit.

Abstract: An example method of testing a shielded cable couples an excitation signal to the shielded cable at an end of a shielded cable, determines one or more resonant frequencies of the shielded cable based on a response of the shielded cable to the excitation signal, and determines that a shielding of the shielded cable has degraded based on a change in the one or more resonant frequencies. A system for testing a shielded cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the location of a train on a track or of a broken rail of a track, the track including a first section having a first end and a second end, the method including: injecting a current into the track at one end of the first end and second end; detecting the amplitude of the injected current at the same end at which the current was injected; and determining, based on the detected amplitude, the location of the train on the track or of the broken rail of the track.

Abstract: A micromechanical moisture-sensor device and a corresponding manufacturing method. The micromechanical moisture-sensor device is equipped with a first electrode device situated on the substrate; a second electrode device situated on the substrate; an electrical insulation device situated between the first electrode device and the second electrode device which includes a first area, which is in contact with the first electrode device and the second electrode device, and which includes a second area, which is exposed by the first electrode device and the second electrode device; a moisture-sensitive functional layer, which is applied across the first electrode device and the second electrode device and the second area of the insulation device lying between them in such a way that it forms a moisture-sensitive resistive electrical shunt at least in some areas between the first electrode device and the second electrode device.

Abstract: An electronic device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include one or more switches, one of more sub-systems, and an interface control unit electrically coupled with the one or more sub-systems and the one or more switches. The interface control unit is configured to: detect a coupling of an external device to the electronic device, identify a type of the coupled external device, when the external device is identified as a current detecting device, generate a first control signal for turning off power to the one or more sub-systems, and a second control signal for setting a first path to supply the one or more sub-systems with power from the current detecting device, and transmit the first control signal to the one or more sub-systems and the second control signal to the one or more switches.