Abstract: The present invention relates to a crosslinking agent for use in vulcanising a vulcanisable polysiloxane to form a silicone elastomer. The crosslinking agent comprises a silane in which at least one oxygen-bonded substituent is selected from functionalised or unfunctionalised, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched chain C5-25 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted acyl, in which the moiety bonded to the carboxyl group is a functionalised or unfunctionalised, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched chain C4-25 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; or substituted or unsubstituted aryl.

Abstract: Power management is provided in a user operated data input device utilizing proximity sensing and switching between three or more power states. Capacitive proximity sensing may be carried out by detecting a relative change in the capacitance of a “scoop” capacitor formed by a conductor and a surrounding ground plane, wherein charge is transferred between the “scoop” capacitor and a relatively large “bucket” capacitor, a voltage of the bucket capacitor is applied to an input threshold switch, and a number of cycles of charge transfer required to reach the state transition is determined. Switching between the power states occurs based upon the presence or absence of input activity, and an operation instrumentality (e.g., a hand) in close proximity to or contact with the device.

Abstract: Capacitive proximity sensing is carried out by detecting a relative change in the capacitance of a “scoop” capacitor formed by a conductor and a surrounding ground plane. The conductor may be a plate provided in the form of an adhesive label printed with conductive ink. Charge is transferred between the “scoop” capacitor and a relatively large “bucket” capacitor, and a voltage of the bucket capacitor is applied to an input threshold switch. A state transition (e.g., from low to high, or high to low) of the input threshold switch is detected and a value (TouchVal) indicative of a number of cycles of charge transfer required to reach the state transition is determined. The presence or absence of an object or body portion in close proximity to or contact with a device can be determined by comparing TouchVal with a predetermined threshold value (TouchOff).

Abstract: Capacitive proximity sensing is carried out by detecting a relative change in the capacitance of a “scoop” capacitor formed by a conductor and a surrounding ground plane. The conductor may be a plate provided in the form of an adhesive label printed with conductive ink. Charge is transferred between the “scoop” capacitor and a relatively large “bucket” capacitor, and a voltage of the bucket capacitor is applied to an input threshold switch. A state transition (e.g., from low to high, or high to low) of the input threshold switch is detected and a value (TouchVal) indicative of a number of cycles of charge transfer required to reach the state transition is determined. The presence or absence of an object or body portion in close proximity to or contact with a device can be determined by comparing TouchVal with a predetermined threshold value (TouchOff).

Abstract: A tool for extracting an electronic module from a socket for the electronic module. The socket has first and second retaining projections formed thereon which engage first and second retaining holes in the module to allow movement of the module only in a first direction relative to the socket. The tool basically comprises: (a) a main body portion; (b) a pair of extraction detents extending from the main body portion; and (c) first and second channel portions. The channel portions are arranged to receive outer peripheral edge portions of the module. When the extraction tool is displaced towards the socket with the module edge portions received within the channel portions, the channel portions guide the tool into an extraction position in which extraction projections on the extraction detents are adjacent to the retaining holes. By rotating the tool and module in the first direction, the retaining projections no longer engage the retaining holes and the extraction projections enter the retaining holes.