Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to forming objects including one or more layers of a polymeric material that include a magnetic material. The objects can be produced by forming one or more first layers that include a first polymeric material. The one or more first layers can be free of a magnetic material. Additionally, the object can be produced by forming one or more second layers that include a second polymeric material having a magnetic material. For example, the one or more second layers can include a polymeric material embedded with magnetic particles. The one or more first layers and the one or more second layers can be formed by extruding the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material onto a substrate according to a pattern. A magnetizing device can be used to magnetize the magnetic material included in the one or more second layers.

Abstract: A method provides a touchable user interface based on a surface. The surface supports direct human-machine interactions as conventional touch-sensitive platforms. According to implementations of the method, a mechanical actuator-sensor assembly is arranged at any type of object, and the assembly generates and senses the mechanical wave propagating in the object. In this way, a “touchable” surface can be created.

Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein provide a silent voice input solution without being noticed by surroundings. Compared with conventional voice input solutions which are based on normal speech or whispering, the proposed “silent” voice input method is performed by using ingressive voice during the user's breathing-in process. By placing the apparatus(10) very close to the user's mouth with a ultra-small gap (110) formed between the microphone (100) and the apparatus (10), the proposed silent voice input solution can realize a very small voice leakage, and thereby allowing the user (1000) to use ultra-low voice speech input in public and mobile situations, without disturbing surrounding people.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject matter described herein provide a wearable device enabling multi-finger gestures. The wearable device generally includes a first sensor, a second sensor and a controller. The first sensor can detect a first set of one or more movements of a first finger of a user. The second sensor can detect a second set of one or more movements of a second finger that is different from the first finger. The controller is configured to detect a multi-finger gesture by determining a relative movement between the first finger and the second finger based on the first and second sets of movements and to control a terminal device in association with the wearable devices based on the multi-finger gesture.

Abstract: Methods of making an electronic device and a keyboard are disclosed. One method including providing a flexible film; providing a first electrode underneath the flexible film, the first electrode coupled to a high voltage signal source; providing a second electrode located beneath the first electrode, the second electrode coupled to an input detector; providing a spacer configured to maintain at least a threshold distance between the first electrode and the second electrode; providing a piezoelectric actuator beneath the second electrode, a top surface of the piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second electrode, wherein contact between the first electrode and the second electrode couples the high voltage signal source to the input detector and the piezoelectric actuator; and providing a base plane beneath the piezoelectric actuator, the base plane coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric actuator and a signal ground.

Abstract: A pointing device with a sensor having an input surface to detect a user's tactile interaction and a depressed portion, and an apparatus to interface with the input surface and receive the user's tactile action is described. The apparatus can include a body that allows controlled displacement during the user's tactile interaction, a tactile surface coupled to a first side of the body that is configured to receive the user's tactile interaction, and a base surface affixed to a second side of the body that is opposite the first side. The base surface can adhere the body to the input surface and be configured to translate to the input surface at least a force from the controlled displacement of the body. The second side of the body and the base surface can have a substantially same cross-sectional shape as the depressed portion of the sensor.

Abstract: A keyboard (110) comprises a base board (116), keys (112), pitfalls (120) and a mode control mechanism (118). The keys (112) include cups (1124), and the mode control mechanism (118) may switch the keyboard (110) especially the key cups (1124) between different modes. In case that the keyboard (110) is not in use, these cups (1124) can be received in the pitfalls (120) to reduce the profile of the keyboard (110). In case that the keyboard (110) is to be used, the keys (112) may be raised up and arranged on the base board (116) in order to enable long keystroke and provide good typing experience.

Abstract: A low-profile, small-footprint gel-based pointing device is described herein. The gel-based pointing device described herein includes a gel-based body, a tactile surface affixed to a first side of the gel-based body, and a base surface affixed to a second side of the gel-based body that is opposite the first side. The tactile surface is configured to receive an input from a user and the base surface couples the gel-based body to a sensor surface. In at least one embodiment, the gel-based pointing device described herein further includes a sensor for receiving the gel-based pointing device and a detector for detecting changes in at least one of resistance, capacity, pressure, or lateral or vertical position of the gel-based pointing device.

Abstract: A communicator in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector, a communication circuit, and a communication controller. The connector is electrically coupled to an electric working machine. The communication circuit performs wireless communication. The communication controller cyclically transmits operational information without specifying a recipient via the communication circuit in response to an operating mode of the communication controller being set to an operation-transmission mode. The operational information indicates an operating state of the electric working machine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject matter described herein provide an apparatus for use in a pointing device. The apparatus includes an interacting body and a depressible force sensing layer. The rigid interacting body is operable to receive and translate a force provided by a tool. The depressible force sensing layer has an embossed portion that is arranged between the interacting body and a substrate. The embossed portion includes a first surface in contact with a second surface of the interacting body, and a profile of the first surface is substantially same as a profile of the second surface of the interacting body.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a hand-held power tool having a power tool housing accommodating a motor, and a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor within the power tool housing. A battery pack includes a battery pack housing accommodating at least one battery cell and a power tool interface electrically connected to the at least one battery cell within the battery pack housing. The power tool interface is configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the battery pack interface of the power tool. A communicator is attached to or accommodated within the battery pack housing. The communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.

Abstract: A communicator in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector, a communication circuit, and a communication controller. The connector is electrically coupled to an electric working machine. The communication circuit performs wireless communication. The communication controller cyclically transmits operational information without specifying a recipient via the communication circuit in response to an operating mode of the communication controller being set to an operation-transmission mode. The operational information indicates an operating state of the electric working machine.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack (40; 40?) includes attaching a portable charger (120) to a user, which portable charger comprises or is attached to a self-contained power supply (130, 140) and wherein a first charging port (132, 146) of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt (144) worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool (10; 10?), and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port (85, 148) that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell (50) of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An information setting apparatus in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a clock information device, an information receiving device, a permission time calculating device, and an information setting device. The permission time calculating device calculates an operation permission time based on current time information stored in the clock information device and on start time information received by the information receiving device. The information setting device sets operation limitation information, including the operation permission time to at least one of a battery pack or an electrically-driven working machine.

Abstract: A communicator in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector, a communication circuit, and a communication controller. The connector is electrically coupled to an electric working machine. The communication circuit performs wireless communication. The communication controller cyclically transmits operational information without specifying a recipient via the communication circuit in response to an operating mode of the communication controller being set to an operation-transmission mode. The operational information indicates an operating state of the electric working machine.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a hand-held power tool having a motor or a solenoid that drives a tool, and a first memory that stores at least one pass code. A battery pack is detachably attached to, and supplies current to, the power tool and has a second memory that stores at least one pass code. An electronically-actuatable lock and a first controller are provided in the power tool and/or in the battery pack. The first controller reads the pass codes from the first and second memories when the battery pack is attached to the power tool, directly compares the pass codes from the first memory and the second memory, and causes the first electronically-actuatable lock to prohibit or impair operation of the power tool when the pass codes do not match or otherwise correspond in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to depositing a magnetic ink onto a substrate. The magnetic ink is deposited on a portion of a substrate such that the amount of magnetic ink is divided into a plurality of sections where individual sections of the plurality of sections can be spaced at substantially regular intervals. Additionally, individual sections of the plurality of sections can have a common shape. A plurality of substrates having magnetic ink deposited on surfaces of the plurality of substrates as described according to implementations herein can be used to form objects having a number of shapes and structures.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack (40; 40?) includes attaching a portable charger (120) to a user, which portable charger comprises or is attached to a self-contained power supply (130, 140) and wherein a first charging port (132, 146) of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt (144) worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool (10; 10?), and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port (85, 148) that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell (50) of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to forming objects including one or more layers of a polymeric material that include a magnetic material. The objects can be produced by forming one or more first layers that include a first polymeric material. The one or more first layers can be free of a magnetic material. Additionally, the object can be produced by forming one or more second layers that include a second polymeric material having a magnetic material. For example, the one or more second layers can include a polymeric material embedded with magnetic particles. The one or more first layers and the one or more second layers can be formed by extruding the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material onto a substrate according to a pattern. A magnetizing device can be used to magnetize the magnetic material included in the one or more second layers.