Abstract: A device charger is provided. The device charger includes: a faceplate having an electrical outlet-sized aperture therethrough, the faceplate comprising an electrical circuit; a first body extending from a rear side of the faceplate, the first body comprising an AC-to-DC power supply; a second body extending from the rear side of the faceplate, the first body and the second body including respective electrical contacts located to electrically contact one or more respective electrical outlet terminals, the respective electrical contacts configured to provide alternating current from the terminals to an AC input of the power supply at least partially via the electrical circuit of the faceplate; and at least one electrical connector, located at a front side of the faceplate, connected to a DC output of the power supply, the at least one electrical connector for providing DC power to an external device connected thereto.

Abstract: A device charger is provided. The device charger includes: a faceplate having an electrical outlet-sized aperture therethrough, the faceplate comprising an electrical circuit; a first body extending from a rear side of the faceplate, the first body comprising an AC-to-DC power supply; a second body extending from the rear side of the faceplate, the first body and the second body including respective electrical contacts located to electrically contact one or more respective electrical outlet terminals, the respective electrical contacts configured to provide alternating current from the terminals to an AC input of the power supply at least partially via the electrical circuit of the faceplate; and at least one electrical connector, located at a front side of the faceplate, connected to a DC output of the power supply, the at least one electrical connector for providing DC power to an external device connected thereto.

Abstract: A device charger is provided. The device charger includes: a faceplate having an electrical outlet-sized aperture therethrough, the faceplate comprising an electrical circuit; a first body extending from a rear side of the faceplate, the first body comprising an AC-to-DC power supply; a second body extending from the rear side of the faceplate, the first body and the second body including respective electrical contacts located to electrically contact one or more respective electrical outlet terminals, the respective electrical contacts configured to provide alternating current from the terminals to an AC input of the power supply at least partially via the electrical circuit of the faceplate; and at least one electrical connector, located at a front side of the faceplate, connected to a DC output of the power supply, the at least one electrical connector for providing DC power to an external device connected thereto.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system can include a vacuum unit, a plurality of inlet valves, an exhaust, a cleaning air path from the inlet valves through the vacuum unit to the exhaust, and a control unit. An example control unit can include a power input, a power output, motor control circuitry to control application of power from the power input to the power output, a first port, a second port, a conduit providing a conduit air path between the first port and the second, a heat sink in thermal contact with the conduit air path and a component of the motor control circuitry, wherein the control unit is connected through the first port and the second port in the cleaning air flow path between the inlets and the exhaust, and the power output is connected to a power input of the vacuum unit.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system can include a vacuum unit, a plurality of inlet valves, an exhaust, a cleaning air path from the inlet valves through the vacuum unit to the exhaust, and a control unit. An example control unit can include a power input, a power output, motor control circuitry to control application of power from the power input to the power output, a first port, a second port, a conduit providing a conduit air path between the first port and the second, a heat sink in thermal contact with the conduit air path and a component of the motor control circuitry, wherein the control unit is connected through the first port and the second port in the cleaning air flow path between the inlets and the exhaust, and the power output is connected to a power input of the vacuum unit.

Abstract: An appliance and a method of determining a wireless communication frequency range from received AC power input comprising automatically determining an AC power characteristic from the AC mains power, automatically mapping the determined AC power characteristic to the wireless frequency range within a pre-determined wireless frequency range, and automatically selecting the wireless communication frequency range to communicate with an auxiliary appliance.

Abstract: Sensor includes electrodes on internal layer of multilayer printed circuit board, and sensing circuitry drives electrodes and reads signal having characteristic based upon capacitance between electrodes. Board may have first layer second layer, with electrodes between layers. One layer may be thicker than other layer such that capacitance external to board is primarily contributed from adjacent other layer. Electrodes may be on internal surface and sensing circuitry may be on opposing external surface. Components for sensing circuitry may be assembled to board such that board and components are multilayer printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: Sensor includes electrodes on internal layer of multilayer printed circuit board, and sensing circuitry drives electrodes and reads signal having characteristic based upon capacitance between electrodes. Board may have first layer second layer, with electrodes between layers. One layer may be thicker than other layer such that capacitance external to board is primarily contributed from adjacent other layer. Electrodes may be on internal surface and sensing circuitry may be on opposing external surface. Components for sensing circuitry may be assembled to board such that board and components are multilayer printed circuit board assembly.