Abstract: A wake-up circuit which includes a battery, a switch, an additional circuit and a detector which, responsive to incident light above a threshold level, closes the switch thereby to connect the battery to the additional circuit.

Abstract: An inductive sensing-based user interface device which includes a conductive barrier with at least one aperture, a magnetic flux modifier attached to a rotary member on one side of the barrier and an inductive structure on an opposed side of the barrier aligned with the aperture, magnetically coupled to the flux modifier, wherein a change in sensed inductance is used to determine rotational input.

Abstract: A dual user interface trackpad that utilize capacitive sensing to detect user proximity and/or touch and inductive sensing to detect stylus input, allowing a user to select specific content or a window on an associated display with touch, to reposition and manipulate the selected content or window with touch to facilitate more convenient entry of additional content amongst the selected content or window using the stylus, and to indicate completion of the entry of content with another touch and/or proximity event on or near the trackpad.

Abstract: An inductive sensing-based user interface device which includes a conductive barrier with at least one aperture, a magnetic flux modifier attached to a rotary member on one side of the barrier and an inductive structure on an opposed side of the barrier aligned with the aperture, magnetically coupled to the flux modifier, wherein a change in sensed inductance is used to determine rotational input.

Abstract: A trackpad for a dual user interface has capacitive sensing and inductive sensing capabilities, charge transfer measurement circuitry, a set of a plurality of sensing electrode structures, a set of a plurality of inductive receiving coils and at least one inductive transmit coil. The set of sensing electrode structures is used with the charge transfer measurement circuitry for capacitive sensing and the capacitive sensing is used to discern user input via finger proximity or touch. The set of inductive receiving coils is used with the charge transfer measurement circuitry for inductive sensing and the inductive sensing is used to discern user input via a stylus.

Abstract: Improved means and methods to sense rotation using magnetic field sensors, inductance sensing and capacitive sensing employ a user interface comprising a knob and an integrated circuit containing a magnetic field sensor and inductance measuring circuitry. A permanent magnet and a metal member are attached to the knob, allowing detection of rotation of the knob and when the knob is depressed. A first press is interpreted as an activation command, a subsequent rotation is detected, indicated and stored, a second press is interpreted as a deactivation command and a third press is interpreted as a command to reactivate and automatically select a specific rotational position.

Abstract: A method for a smart phone app is provided wherein entry to a secure data storage area is facilitated on a file or object level, and not on an app level, wherein the secure data storage area is hidden from the normal application display or view. To obtain an interface which allows entry into the secure data storage area, a user may perform one or other input action, gesture or other step, wherein these are linked with a specific file or object.

Abstract: Improved means and methods to sense rotation using magnetic field sensors, inductance sensing and capacitive sensing employ a user interface comprising a knob and an integrated circuit containing a magnetic field sensor and inductance measuring circuitry. A permanent magnet and a metal member are attached to the knob, allowing detection of rotation of the knob and when the knob is depressed. A first press is interpreted as an activation command, a subsequent rotation is detected, indicated and stored, a second press is interpreted as a deactivation command and a third press is interpreted as a command to reactivate and automatically select a specific rotational position.

Abstract: A microchip for control of a switch mode power supply (SMPS), with said microchip also having the ability to measure capacitance of an electrode or sense plate structure or structures, and use of a low power, power supply structure to supply said microchip, said power supply structure distinct from the main energy path via said SMPS to a load. The microchip may control said SMPS to transition between an active state and an inactive state, with the measured capacitance used to determine a condition for state transition. In said SMPS inactive state, only the microchip draws power to operate its capacitive sensing circuitry, leading to a significant SMPS standby losses decrease compared to prior art. Further teachings by the present invention include capacitive sensing based data transfer, universal charging platforms for mobile devices, noise immunity enhancements, various lighting embodiments as well as SMPS operation improvements.

Abstract: A method for a smart phone app is provided wherein entry to a secure data storage area is facilitated on a file or object level, and not on an app level, wherein the secure data storage area is hidden from the normal application display or view. To obtain an interface which allows entry into the secure data storage area, a user may perform one or other input action, gesture or other step, wherein these are linked with a specific file or object.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing-based electronic switch, which incorporates an integrated circuit with processing capability, which can only be activated by user action in a dedicated area, whereby switch activation occurs only if, at least, a touch is capacitively sensed and criteria based on timing plus sequential touches on capacitive sensors are satisfied.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing-based electronic switch, which incorporates an integrated circuit with processing capability, which can only be activated by user action in a dedicated area, whereby switch activation occurs only if, at least, a touch is capacitively sensed and criteria based on timing plus sequential touches on capacitive sensors are satisfied.

Abstract: A microchip for control of a switch mode power supply (SMPS), with said microchip also having the ability to measure capacitance of an electrode or sense plate structure or structures, and use of a low power, power supply structure to supply said microchip, said power supply structure distinct from the main energy path via said SMPS to a load. The microchip may control said SMPS to transition between an active state and an inactive state, with the measured capacitance used to determine a condition for state transition. In said SMPS inactive state, only the microchip draws power to operate its capacitive sensing circuitry, leading to a significant SMPS standby losses decrease compared to prior art. Further teachings by the present invention include capacitive sensing based data transfer, universal charging platforms for mobile devices, noise immunity enhancements, various lighting embodiments as well as SMPS operation improvements.

Abstract: Ceramic inductors are made from stacked sheets of co-fired ceramic. At least one of the ceramic sheets has a slot with a conductor disposed in the slot. The conductor has a thickness equal to a thickness of the ceramic sheet containing the slot. The conductor has a large thickness (compared to prior art co-fired ceramic inductors) and therefore can carry large currents. The present ceramic inductor can be used in power electronics applications due to the ability to carry large currents. The present ceramic inductor preferably has an inductance that decreases with increasing current. A decreasing inductance characteristic tends to increase energy efficiency in a voltage regulator when the inductor is used as an output inductor. Specifically, the variable inductance tends to substantially increase energy efficiency at low current loads without adversely affecting efficiency at high loads.