Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices and methods for performing screen state detection. The screen state detection may be used in conjunction with any device with a bendable display. The device and method utilizes an electrostatic charge variation sensor to detect whether the display is in an open state or a closed state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-tests for electrostatic charge variation sensors. The self-tests ensure an electrostatic charge variation sensor is functioning properly. The self-tests may be performed while an electrostatic charge variation sensor is active and without interruption to the application employing the electrostatic charge variation sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining handedness in a device. The system including a first electrode, a second electrode, a sensor, and a processing circuit coupled to each other. The first electrode is placed at a first location, and the second electrode is placed at a second location on the device—the first location is different from the second location. The electrodes are configured to sense a variation in an electrostatic field in response to a user interacting with the device. The sensor detects a differential potential between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the processing circuit determines whether the user is interacting with the device using a left hand or a right hand. The determining is based on data received from the sensor corresponding to the differential potential.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes sensing circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry processes received sensor-session requests and received sensor-service requests. Processing a received sensor-service request includes determining a type of the received sensor-service request. In response to determining the received sensor-service request is of a first type, results information is generated in response to the received sensor-service request of the first type based on sensor data generated by the sensing circuitry. In response to determining the received sensor-service request is of a second type, remote-server processing based on the received sensor-service request of the second type is initiated, and a response to the received sensor-service request of the second type is generated based on a received response to the initiated remote-server processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device for measuring the flow of fluid inside a tube moved by a peristaltic pump is provided with: a detection electrode arrangement coupled to the tube to detect an electrostatic charge variation originated by the mechanical action of the peristaltic pump on the tube; a signal processing stage, electrically coupled to the detection electrode arrangement to generate an electrical charge variation signal; and a processing unit, coupled to the signal processing stage to receive and process in the frequency domain the electrical charge variation signal to obtain information on the flow of a fluid that flows through the tube based on the analysis of frequency characteristics of the electrical charge variation signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a detection device includes: an infrared temperature sensor configured to provide a temperature signal associated with an heat emission of at least one individual within a monitored area; an electrostatic-charge-variation sensor configured to provide a charge-variation signal indicative of a variation of electrostatic charge associated with the at least one individual; and a processing unit, coupled to the infrared temperature sensor and to the electrostatic-charge-variation sensor, the processing unit configured to detect a presence of the at least one individual within the monitored area by receiving the temperature signal and the charge-variation signal, and jointly processing the temperature signal and charge.

Abstract: An earphone device has a casing having a measurement portion dedicated to acquisition of at least one measurement quantity with the earphone device arranged outside an ear of a subject. The earphone device is provided with at least one sensor, operatively coupled to the measurement portion within the casing for acquiring signals indicative of the measurement quantity, and a processing module that processes the signals acquired by the sensor so as to provide a processed output signal for monitoring the measurement quantity, as a function of the acquired signals. Electrical-connection elements define electrical paths within the casing in electrical connection with the sensor.

Abstract: A system for measuring cardiac parameters uses a movements sensor to generate a seismocardiographic signal and a cardiac parameters calculation unit. The cardiac parameters calculation unit provides for generating an envelope signal correlated to the seismocardiographic signal; identifies, in the envelope signal, signal segments having a repetitive pattern; identifies, among the signal segments, pairs of successive peaks such that a first peak of each pair of successive peaks is a systolic peak and a second peak of each pair of successive peaks is a diastolic peak; and calculates a systolic period and a diastolic period for each pair of successive peaks.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas sensor device that detects gases with large molecules (e.g., a gas with a molecular weight between 150 g/mol and 450 g/mol), such as siloxanes. The gas sensor device includes a thin film gas sensor and a bulk film gas sensor. The thin film gas sensor and the bulk film gas sensor each include a semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) film, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The SMO film of the thin film gas sensor is an thin film (e.g., between 90 nanometers and 110 nanometers thick), and the SMO film of the bulk film gas sensor is an thick film (e.g., between 5 micrometers and 20 micrometers thick). The gas sensor device detects gases with large molecules based on a variation between resistances of the SMO thin film and the SMO thick film.

Abstract: A system for detecting a presence in an environment to be monitored includes an electrostatic charge variation sensor, a vibration sensor, and an environmental pressure sensor. A processing unit is configured to acquire, from the electrostatic charge variation sensor, an electrostatic charge variation signal, and detect in the electrostatic charge variation signal, first signal characteristics indicative of the presence of a subject in the environment to be monitored. The processing unit further validates the detection of presence of the subject using the vibration and pressure signals provided by the other sensors.

Abstract: A method for presence detection in an environment to be monitored, includes generating an electric charge signal in a condition of absence of presence in the environment to be monitored. An electric charge signal is generated in an operating condition in which a person may be present in the environment. The two generated signals are processed and the results of the processing are compared. Processing the signals includes representing in a biaxial reference system the value of the charge signal considered and its derivative with respect to time, and identifying a plurality of points in the reference system. By comparing the position of the points acquired during the possible human presence with those of the base shape, a variation indicating the actual human presence may be detected. In this case an alarm signal is generated.

Abstract: A method for mutual authentication that includes establishing a first inductive coupling between a wireless-power receiver and a wireless-power transmitter to transfer power from the wireless-power transmitter to the wireless-power receiver by a power signal and using the power signal to transmit a first response to a physically unclonable function to the wireless-power transmitter. The method further including generating a second response to the physically unclonable function and communicating information derived from the second response to initiate a mutual authentication process between the wireless-power receiver and the wireless-power transmitter during a subsequent inductive coupling.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas sensor device that detects gases with large molecules (e.g., a gas with a molecular weight between 150 g/mol and 450 g/mol), such as siloxanes. The gas sensor device includes a thin film gas sensor and a bulk film gas sensor. The thin film gas sensor and the bulk film gas sensor each include a semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) film, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The SMO film of the thin film gas sensor is an thin film (e.g., between 90 nanometers and 110 nanometers thick), and the SMO film of the bulk film gas sensor is an thick film (e.g., between 5 micrometers and 20 micrometers thick). The gas sensor device detects gases with large molecules based on a variation between resistances of the SMO thin film and the SMO thick film.

Abstract: A sensor is driven at a first heating power value. The sensor generates a sensing signal that is indicative of a sensed entity. A possible onset of a sensor contamination condition is detected as a function of the sensing signal generated by the sensor. If such detecting fails to indicate onset of a sensor contamination condition, the sensor continues to be driven at the first heating power value. However, if such detecting indicates onset of a sensor contamination condition, a protection mode is activated. In the protection mode, the sensor is driven at a second heating power value for a protection interval, where the second heating power value is lower than the first heating power value. Furthermore, the operation may refrain from supplying power to the sensor for a further protection interval, wherein the further protection interval is longer than the protection interval.

Abstract: A detection device includes a pressure sensor, which provides a pressure signal indicative of an ambient pressure in an operating environment. An electrostatic-charge-variation sensor provides a charge-variation signal indicative of a variation of electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment, and processing circuitry is coupled to the pressure sensor and to the electrostatic-charge-variation sensor so as to receive the pressure signal and the charge-variation signal, and jointly processes the pressure signal and the charge-variation signal for detecting a variation between a first operating environment and a second operating environment for the detection device. The second operating environment is different from the first operating environment.

Abstract: An embodiment method for controlling at least one functionality of an electronic device on the basis of a gesture of a user comprises detecting, by a sensor, a variation of electrostatic charge of the user during the execution of the gesture and generating a charge variation signal. The gesture includes moving at least one foot upward and, subsequently, downward. The method further includes, by a processing unit, acquiring the charge variation signal, detecting, in the charge variation signal, a characteristic identifying the gesture of moving the foot upward, detecting, in the charge variation signal, a characteristic identifying the gesture of moving the foot downward, and controlling the functionality of the electronic device only in the event that both the first and the second characteristics have been detected.

Abstract: A method includes collecting, at a building opening, air pressure signals from a pressure sensor and sound signals from a sound sensor. The method also includes sensing pressure peaks occurring in the air pressure signals and sensing sound pulses occurring in the sound signals. A joint occurrence of a pressure peak in the air pressure signals and a sound pulse in the sound signals is indicative of an opening/closing event of the building opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-tests for electrostatic charge variation sensors. The self-tests ensure an electrostatic charge variation sensor is functioning properly. The self-tests may be performed while an electrostatic charge variation sensor is active and without interruption to the application employing the electrostatic charge variation sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices and methods for performing screen state detection. The screen state detection may be used in conjunction with any device with a bendable display. The device and method utilizes an electrostatic charge variation sensor to detect whether the display is in an open state or a closed state.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas sensing device is described. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a value of resistance of a gas sensing element, processing the signal received to compute a value of a gas concentration, performing a comparison of the value of gas concentration to a threshold, and, based on the outcome of a diagnosis procedure, setting the device to an alert signal issue state as a function of the outcome of the comparison. The diagnosis procedure includes computing a set of parameters indicative of the state of the gas sensor circuit, and classifying the gas sensor circuit in one of a first, a second and a third class based on the parameters.