Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors in or on a stylus, the stylus including one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The method includes generating a carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal to communicate the sensor data and wirelessly transmitting from the stylus to the device the carrier signal as modulated through the touch sensor of the device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from one or more touch sensors of a computing device, signals corresponding to one or more touch or proximity inputs occurring substantially simultaneously within a touch-sensitive area of each of the touch sensors. At least a portion of the touch-sensitive areas of at least one of the touch sensors is disposed substantially along an edge of the computing device. The method also includes determining, based on the signals, an orientation of an object causing the touch or proximity inputs; and initiating a pre-determined function of the computing device based at least in part on the orientation of the object.

Abstract: A mine support includes an elongate metal member and a coating comprising post-consumer recycled thermoplastic disposed on the member. The thermoplastic may include post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), and the coating may be an injection molded coating. A first layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 16% and about 30%, and a second layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 6% and about 14%. Either the first layer or second layer may contact the elongate metal member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors in or on a stylus, the stylus including one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The method includes generating a carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal to communicate the sensor data and wirelessly transmitting from the stylus to the device the carrier signal as modulated through the touch sensor of the device.

Abstract: A capacitive touch panel is provided capable of detecting multiple simultaneous touches. The touch panel delivers sets of capacitance signal values to a processor which computes the coordinates of single or multiple touch locations on the touch panel. The processing of each set is performed by (i) identifying the sensing element having the largest capacitance signal value; (ii) defining a region around that sensing element; and (iii) repeating the process iteratively, wherein each subsequent identifying step excludes signals that lie in previously defined regions. A multi-touch sensor is thus provided in which the signal processing is based on successive definition of regions or sub-blocks in the touch: panel. The touch location in each region can be determined more accurately by then applying interpolation between the adjacent signal values. This allows for position resolution at a finer scale than that defined by the touch panel's electrode patterning.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a touch-sensitive area and a touch-sensor controller. The touch-sensor controller is operable to: select a first region around a determined first location associated with an object within the touch-sensitive area, select a second region around the determined first location associated with the object within the touch-sensitive area, and scan two or more electrodes within the first region and two or more electrodes within the second region to determine a second location associated with the object within the touch-sensitive area.

Abstract: An enclosed proximity switch assembly includes a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure that are coupled to form an interior volume. A shaft protrusion upwardly extends from a top surface of the top enclosure, and an interior bore portion having an enclosed volume is defined within the shaft protrusion to form a portion of the interior volume. A first end of a vertical shaft is rotatably disposed within the interior bore portion such that the shaft rotates relative to the top and bottom enclosures. A samarium cobalt target magnet is coupled to the shaft, and the target magnet interacts with a samarium cobalt driver magnet within a proximity switch when the target magnet is rotated within a predetermined distance of a top portion of the proximity switch. The interaction causes a switch to move from a first state to a second state, or vice versa.

Abstract: The exemplary devices and processing techniques allow multiple measurement devices or chips to work together to sample a screen that is larger than one measurement device might sample, by allowing sharing X or drive lines amongst the measurements devices. Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following optional advantages. The sharing of the drive lines may allow for a screen sized or otherwise configured to have more measurement nodes than would be produced by the sum of the nodes that could be measured by the individual devices. For a screen that requires multiple measurement devices, the drive line sharing thus may allow use of a smaller number of measuring devices.

Abstract: A capacitive touch panel is provided capable of detecting multiple simultaneous touches. The touch panel delivers sets of capacitance signal values to a processor which computes the coordinates of single or multiple touch locations on the touch panel. The processing of each set is performed by (i) identifying the sensing element having the largest capacitance signal value; (ii) defining a region around that sensing element; and (iii) repeating the process iteratively, wherein each subsequent identifying step excludes signals that lie in previously defined regions. A multi-touch sensor is thus provided in which the signal processing is based on successive definition of regions or sub-blocks in the touch: panel. The touch location in each region can be determined more accurately by then applying interpolation between the adjacent signal values. This allows for position resolution at a finer scale than that defined by the touch panel's electrode patterning.

Abstract: A back support device is provided herein. The device is configured to support a portion of a burden or load that would otherwise be borne by a user's spinal column and abdomen. The device includes an upper component that is dimensioned to be worn around the torso of the user, and a lower component that is dimensioned to be worn around the user's hips and waistline. The device further comprises a plurality of medial elements. Each medial element is operatively connected to the upper and lower compartments so that each medial element may support a portion of the burden, thereby transferring the burden from the upper component to the lower component. The medial elements provide support and simultaneous freedom of movement by providing a lifting distraction support upon the spinal column and abdomen.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a touch sensor of a device, one or more signals corresponding to touch or proximity inputs within a touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor. The touch sensor comprising one or more nodes. The method also includes applying an offset to one or more of the signals. The offset corresponding to a variation in a distance between a touch panel and a ground plane or display of the device. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based at least in part on the signals and the offset as applied.

Abstract: This document discloses examples of systems, methods, and articles of manufacture that may provide one or more advantages relating to determining which touch on a touch screen is intended and which touch or touches are inadvertent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a touch sensor comprising a touch-sensitive area, and a touch-sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch-sensor controller is operable when executed to: select one or more regions associated with a stylus within the touch-sensitive area, and scan one or more electrodes within each region.

Abstract: In a touch sensor, as well as providing touch position data, additional data is provided on the shape of the touch. This is achieved by having sampling nodes on a finer mesh than the size of the actuating object, typically a finger, so each finger touch activates a group of adjacent nodes on the sensor. In this way, each touch has a shape formed by the activated nodes. The shape allows the touch sensor to report an angle with each touch and data indicating how elongate the touch is, preferably both together as a vector in which the direction of the vector gives the angle and the magnitude of the vector gives the ellipticity. For each frame of data collected from the sensor array, the sensor outputs an (x, y) coordinate of touch position and a further (x, y) coordinate of a shape vector.

Abstract: A mine support includes an elongate metal member and a coating comprising post-consumer recycled thermoplastic disposed on the member. The thermoplastic may include post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), and the coating may be an injection molded coating. A first layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 16% and about 30%, and a second layer of the coating may be provided with a thickness at least about 0.1 mm and a crystallinity between about 6% and about 14%. Either the first layer or second layer may contact the elongate metal member.

Abstract: A method for measuring capacitance in a sensor device using an internal reference circuit element(s), and without implementing additional circuitry and devices external to the sensor device, is described. In some embodiments a method uses an output pin of the sensor device and an internal reference capacitor of the sensor device to identify a touch applied to a touch point or electrode coupled to the touch sensor. The method applies reference voltages to charge the reference capacitor and measure a signal received from an electrode, wherein the touch sensor controls switching within the touch sensor to apply the reference voltages to the reference capacitor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for packaging a curable resin composition and a catalyst composition that react with each other when mixed, comprising providing a partitioned tube for receiving the resin composition and the curing agent in separate compartments; delivering a stream of a resin composition into one compartment of the tube; delivering a stream of a curing agent in the other compartment of the tube; advancing the partitioned tube and constricting and sealing the partitioned tube at spaced apart intervals and severing the sealed tube to produce a package partitioning the resin composition from the catalyst composition. Solid particulate is continuously added into the stream of at least one of the catalyst composition and the resin composition and mixing the solid particulate and stream to produce a mixed composition; and the relative amount of solid particulate in the mixed composition is controlled by continuously determining the mass of solid particulate added to the mass of the stream.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, an oscillator may include a crystal resonator and a squaring circuit coupled to the crystal resonator and configured to convert a sinusoidal signal produced by the crystal resonator to a square-wave signal, the squaring circuit comprising a bias circuit configured to transmit a selected bias voltage for the squaring circuit, the selected bias voltage selected from a plurality of potential bias voltages. In accordance with this and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an oscillator may include a crystal resonator, an inverter coupled in parallel with the crystal resonator, and a programmable voltage regulator coupled to the inverter. The programmable voltage regulator may be configured to supply a first supply voltage to the inverter during a startup duration of the oscillator, and supply a second supply voltage to the inverter after the startup duration, wherein the second supply voltage is lesser than the first supply voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for producing resin cartridges that can be used in mine roof bolt applications. The system and method can be used to produce resin cartridges that contain a first portion that includes a resin and a catalyst that cure at a first speed when mixed together and a second portion that includes a resin and a catalyst that cure at a second speed when mixed together. The system can include a base material supply source, a plurality of branch lines, at least one altering material supply line in fluid communication with at least one branch line, a valve arrangement, a product line, and a packaging machine.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, an oscillator may include a crystal resonator and a squaring circuit coupled to the crystal resonator and configured to convert a sinusoidal signal produced by the crystal resonator to a square-wave signal, the squaring circuit comprising a bias circuit configured to transmit a selected bias voltage for the squaring circuit, the selected bias voltage selected from a plurality of potential bias voltages. In accordance with this and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an oscillator may include a crystal resonator, an inverter coupled in parallel with the crystal resonator, and a programmable voltage regulator coupled to the inverter. The programmable voltage regulator may be configured to supply a first supply voltage to the inverter during a startup duration of the oscillator, and supply a second supply voltage to the inverter after the startup duration, wherein the second supply voltage is lesser than the first supply voltage.