Abstract: A capacitive sensor associated with a substrate is presented. The electrode includes a self-capacitance; and a processing unit electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to register a first touch signature during a first touch event in response to an object approaching the electrode. The first touch signature occurring over a total time domain (T) between a first time and a second time, between a first substantially constant self-capacitance and a second substantially constant self-capacitance.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes first and second electrodes defining a capacitive coupling, and a processing unit electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the capacitive coupling. A substrate is positioned adjacent the first and second electrodes, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the capacitive coupling and in response to the capacitive coupling being greater than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A method for determining a stimulus is provided. The method includes determining a touch condition based on the rate of change of electrode capacitance, measuring a characteristic of the electrode capacitance in response to the touch condition being met, and evaluating the measured characteristic to determine the touch stimulus. The method can improve the ability to determine a touch stimulus over existing methods, including the ability to determine fingerprint and handprint biometrics, for example.

Abstract: A system for identifying and transferring parcels includes a robot singulator configured to engage and transfer individual parcels in a bulk flow of multiple parcels on a first conveyor to a singulated stream of parcels on a second conveyor. The system further includes a vision and control subsystem, with a first camera for acquiring image data of the bulk flow of multiple parcels, and a computer that receives and processes the image data to identify and segment individual parcels, and then communicates instructions to the robot singulator to engage and transfer each of the individual parcels to the second conveyor. The system may further include a second camera for acquiring image data of the individual parcels to confirm placement on the second conveyor. The system may further include first and second indexing conveyors controlled by the vision and control subsystem for delivering parcels to the robot singulator.

Abstract: A method for determining a stimulus is provided. The method includes determining a touch condition based on the rate of change of electrode capacitance, measuring a characteristic of the electrode capacitance in response to the touch condition being met, and evaluating the measured characteristic to determine the touch stimulus. The method can improve the ability to determine a touch stimulus over existing methods, including the ability to determine fingerprint and handprint biometrics, for example.

Abstract: A method for determining a stimulus is provided. The method includes determining a touch condition based on the rate of change of electrode capacitance, measuring a characteristic of the electrode capacitance in response to the touch condition being met, and evaluating the measured characteristic to determine the touch stimulus. The method can improve the ability to determine a touch stimulus over existing methods, including the ability to determine fingerprint and handprint biometrics, for example.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a touch input are provided. The systems and methods generally include measuring the peak voltage at an electrode over a measurement period and determining a touch input based on the peak voltage. The systems and methods can conserve computing resources by deferring digital signal processing until after a peak electrode capacitance has been sampled. The systems and methods are suitable for capacitive sensors using self-capacitance and capacitive sensors using mutual capacitance. The systems and methods are also suitable for capacitive buttons, track pads, and touch screens, among other implementations.

Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.

Abstract: A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.

Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.

Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes first and second electrodes defining a capacitive coupling, and a processing unit electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the capacitive coupling. A substrate is positioned adjacent the first and second electrodes, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the capacitive coupling and in response to the capacitive coupling being greater than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A volumetric light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor light emitting diode disposed on the substrate and a reflector ring extending axially from the substrate. The reflector ring defines a first volume bounded by the substrate, an inner wall of the reflector ring, and a terminal plane at a distal end of the reflector ring. An encapsulant fills the first volume and encapsulates the semiconductor light emitting diode. A volumetric light conversion element surrounds the reflector ring and the first volume wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength. A second volume of encapsulant or scattering material extends axially between the terminal plane and the volumetric light conversion element.

Abstract: A method for determining a stimulus is provided. The method includes determining a touch condition based on the rate of change of electrode capacitance, measuring a characteristic of the electrode capacitance in response to the touch condition being met, and evaluating the measured characteristic to determine the touch stimulus. The method can improve the ability to determine a touch stimulus over existing methods, including the ability to determine fingerprint and handprint biometrics, for example.

Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.

Abstract: A volumetric light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor light emitting diode disposed on the substrate and a reflector ring extending axially from the substrate. The reflector ring defines a first volume bounded by the substrate, an inner wall of the reflector ring, and a terminal plane at a distal end of the reflector ring. An encapsulant fills the first volume and encapsulates the semiconductor light emitting diode. A volumetric light conversion element surrounds the reflector ring and the first volume wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength. A second volume of encapsulant or scattering material extends axially between the terminal plane and the volumetric light conversion element.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes an electrode and a processing unit electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the electrode capacitance. A substrate is positioned adjacent the electrode, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the electrode capacitance. In addition, the processing unit is operative to determine the presence of a stimulus in response to the time rate of change being less than a reference value.

Abstract: A keyboard device and a related method of operation are provided. The keyboard device includes a compressible touch substrate having a plurality of keys, a support substrate underlying the touch substrate, and a plurality of electrodes between the touch substrate and the support substrate. The keyboard is adapted to detect movement of an object against the touch substrate and along the touch substrate. The keyboard is further adapted to classify such movement as a key selection or as a touch gesture based on the degree of deflection of the compressible touch substrate.

Abstract: A layer of transparent conductive material is disposed on a surface of a substrate. Further layers of conductive material are deposited on the layer of transparent conductive material or on an opposite surface of the substrate. The layers are selectively etched to yield a layout of pads for mounting electrical components and conductive traces forming an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.